SPORTS management and marketing firm Proactive is looking to cash in on the introduction of the August 31 football transfer deadline.

Wilmslow-based Proactive, which has more than 350 professional footballers as clients, and employs 72, is aiming to become the "foremost" global sports management business.

Chief executive Paul Stretford, who founded the company in 1987, said: "We will have some very exciting announcements to make over the next few years.

"The August 31 football transfer deadline will probably create some problems for newly-promoted clubs, and see a natural culling of one-man bandits and agents, but we are looking to use that to our advantage.

"We have known about the transfer window for a while and, therefore, have been able to take into account brokers' notes and be ready for this change. We are always looking to build the business and I'm confident we can continue to be successful.

"Prospects for the group are good. All divisions are performing well and with football becoming increasingly international we are well placed to benefit."